Investigating the reliability of aggregate measurements of learning process data: From theory to practice.

Background: Learning analytics (LA) research often aggregates learning process data to extract measurements indicating constructs of interest. However, the warranty that such aggregation will produce reliable measurements has not been explicitly examined. The reliability evidence of aggregate measur...

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Publicado en:Journal of Computer Assisted Learning Vol. 40; no. 3; pp. 1295 - 1309
Autores principales: Zhang, Yingbin, Ye, Yafei, Paquette, Luc, Wang, Yibo, Hu, Xiaoyong
Formato: algorithm research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Wiley-Blackwell Jun2024
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Jun2024
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        10.1111/jcal.12951
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        atl: Investigating the reliability of aggregate measurements of learning process data: From theory to practice.
      aug:
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          Zhang, Yingbin
          Ye, Yafei
          Paquette, Luc
          Wang, Yibo
          Hu, Xiaoyong
        affil: Institute of Artificial Intelligence in Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
      sug:
        subj:
          Reliability Evaluation
          Learning Methods
          Data Analytics
          Theory-Practice Relationship
          Human
          Male
          Female
          Psychometrics
          Academic Performance
          Conceptual Framework
          Research Personnel
          Internal Consistency
          Test-Retest Reliability
          Random Assignment
          Computer Simulation
          Computers and Computerization
          Machine Learning
          Funding Source
          Male
          Female
      ab: Background: Learning analytics (LA) research often aggregates learning process data to extract measurements indicating constructs of interest. However, the warranty that such aggregation will produce reliable measurements has not been explicitly examined. The reliability evidence of aggregate measurements has rarely been reported, leaving an implicit assumption that such measurements are free of errors. Objectives: This study addresses these gaps by investigating the psychometric pros and cons of aggregate measurements. Methods: This study proposes a framework for aggregating process data, which includes the conditions where aggregation is appropriate, and a guideline for selecting the proper reliability evidence and the computing procedure. We support and demonstrate the framework by analysing undergraduates' academic procrastination and programming proficiency in an introductory computer science course. Results and Conclusion: Aggregation over a period is acceptable and may improve measurement reliability only if the construct of interest is stable during the period. Otherwise, aggregation may mask meaningful changes in behaviours and should be avoided. While selecting the type of reliability evidence, a critical question is whether process data can be regarded as repeated measurements. Another question is whether the lengths of processes are unequal and individual events are unreliable. If the answer to the second question is no, segmenting each process into a fixed number of bins assists in computing the reliability coefficient. Major Takeaways: The proposed framework can be a general guideline for aggregating process data in LA research. Researchers should check and report the reliability evidence for aggregate measurements before the ensuing interpretation. Lay Description: What is currently known about this topic: Aggregating learning process data is common in learning analytics.The psychometric pros and cons of aggregating process data are rarely examined. What this paper adds: If the construct of interest is stable during a period, aggregation over this period is desirable.Aggregation over a long period masks meaningful changes in learning behaviours.A guideline for choosing proper reliability coefficients for aggregate measurements is proposed.Methods for computing reliability estimates when processes vary in length are provided. Implications for practice: Report reliability evidence for aggregate measurements for the sake of psychometric rigour.A short period causes unreliable action‐related indicators in learning analytics dashboards.A long period causes inaccurate indicators of learners' current state.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        algorithm
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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